Method of producing knitted fabrics



Sept. 29, 1942. w. J. WESSELER METHOD OF PRODUCING KNITTED FABRIC Filed Feb. 2'7, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 MW, W

my K Sept. 29, 1942. w. J. WESSELER METHOD OF PRODUCING KNITTED FABRIC Filed Feb. 27', 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 atented Sept. 29,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to knitted fabric and to the method for producing the same. This application is a continuation in part of application Serial No. 737,648, filed July 30, 1934, which has matured into U. S. Patent No. 2,148,- 517, issued February 28, 1939. More particularly, the invention comprises a fabric of the general type shown in my Patent No..1,738,486, and embodying additional features to that disclosed therein, such fabric being formed by a knitting operation wherein the stitches or loops making up the same may be drawn to any desired size and may be so tightly seated upon adjacent stitches or loops as to present what may be termed a "needle-tight fabric. Such fabrics may be used as a plain or finished fabric of a wide variety of types including among others, warp knitting, purl knitting, Milanese knitting, or it may be used as a base or backing fabric for a filler or for a pile provided on one or both sides thereof. It may also be used for various plating, striping, reinforcing, embossing, or like fabrics.

It also comprises a method of knitting wherein each knitting instrumentality, whether a needle or other type of device, such as a knitting bar or pin rigidly mounted as one of a set, or individually pivoted, and having preferably special shape and range of action, is adapted to operate successively on independent yarns of separate series, and wherein the yarns may be drawn as desired to any predetermined loop size after being cast off from said needles or other knitting instrumentalities, and wherein additional or auxiliary yarns may be used to form single or double face pile fabric plated, striped, reinforced or embossed fabric or any other desired efiects.

The invention also has in view the provision of a method for producing the various types of fabric described, such method embodying tightly pulled loops or loops drawn to predetermined size, with or without interlocked additional or auxiliary threads, and also purl fabric produced in a novel manner at high speed and with or without tightly drawn loops and in plain form or with additional pile or other yarns interlocked therewith.

The invention also includes the method of using multiple series of yarn feeds to cooperate in the preforming of loops of pile or other yarns over backing yarns made ready for the loop forming members:

The invention also has in view the introduction into a knitted backing or base fabric formed of standard or purled or Milanese type loop drawn to any desired degree of loop size of additional yarns engaged with said backing and anchored thereto. Such additional yarns may be used for plating, reinforcing, embossing or like purposes, or may be in the form of loops which form a pile standing outwardly from one or both sides of said base fabric. The pile fabric so formed may be of the cut or uncut variety and may be united with the base in various forms of anchoring loops, some of which may closely resemble what has been termed an oriental knot.

In addition to the pile fabric being adapted to be united with the base by various forms of anchoring engagement therewith, the direction in which the pile yarns are fed to the base may be varied and a plurality of series of pile yarns may be supplied to the knitting instrumentalities.

The backing fabric may be likewise changed as to the number of series of yarns from which the same is made, or as to the color or strength of the yarns of said series, and as to the direction in which such yarns are supplied to and taken from the knitting instrumentalities.

The present method may be carried out, by hand or embodied in various types of apparatus and may comprise a fabric with a selvage at either edge, and the fabric may be fed upwardly or downwardly or horizontally if desired. Likewise the mechanism shown may be in the form of a circular machine knitting tubular fabric which likewise may be fed in any desired direction, although in each instance it is believed downward feeding would-prove more advantageous inasmuch as the yarn feeding tubes where needle-tight tension is desired will serve as abutments to position the fabric and no auxiliary tension apparatus need be utilized, the finished fabric descending by gravity as formed. It is also to be understood that whereas the reciprocation of the loop forming instrumentality is described in the present application, such instrumentality or instrumentalities could be held stationary and the yarn feeding elements moved in appropriate directions in relation thereto.

The method includes supplying each knitting instrumentality with a plurality of selectively operable yarn feeds so that any desired colorof a full series of colors may be supplied to the knitting instrumentality for any position in the fabric and such yarns may thereafter be floated or severed and again called into use when desired. Such yarns may provide pile fabric yarns along with the backing fabric yarns and the backing fabric yarns in such instance may be of uniform color while the pile fabric yarns embody the assortment of colors to be selectively incorporated in the finished fabric.

The method includes the narrowing and widen ing or shaping of the marginal or other portions of the fabric.

Other features of the invention relate to the supplying of the pile yarns to the knitting instrumentalities under any desired tension and carrying said yarns, after their formation into pile loops, over instrumentalities which determine their size.

Other and further features ,of the invention will appear in the course of the following description.

The annexed drawings and the following de-- scription set forth in detail certain fabrics and the means and mode of carrying out the invention, such disclosed means and mode illustrating, however, but several of the different ways in which the principle of the invention may be used and the fabrics produced.

In said annexed drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing one form of apparatus embodying the principles of the invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig re 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the fabric in relation to the yarn feeding tubes;

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic side elevation showing the method of draw-ing a loop;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic plan view showing the relative position of the parts when drawing a loop;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5, showing the loop-forming element associated with the opposite yarn carriage;

Figure 7 is a similar view showing the loopforming carriage shifted transversely of the frame;

Figure 8 is a similar view showing the drawing of the succeeding loop;

Figure 9 is a similar view showing the loopforming element back to the first position and the second carriage returned to its original position;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the loop-tensioning mechanism;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the fabric narrowing mechanism;

Figure 12 is an enlarged detail view showing a modified form of loop-forming element;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary top plan view showing the rack bars and associated pawl section; and

Figure 14 is a fragmentary front elevation of the structure shown in Figure 13,

In the form of apparatus illustrated, more particularly in Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a machine adapted to produce fiat purl fabric with a selvage edge at either side and having a narrowing and widening attachment as well as means for supplying pile yarns to produce a pile fabric. In said structure a base plate I is provided supported upon suitable standards 2 and having an extension 3 at one end upon'which is mounted an electric motor 4 carrying a pinion 5 meshing with the gear wheel 5 operating a crank shaft 1, the crank of which is connected by a link 8 with pivots 9 mounted on a rocking frame The rocking frame is provided with a, pivot I! at its lower portion at each side of the base plate and carries at each of its side edges outwardly projecting pivot pins |3 interengaged with slideways H at the margins of said frame and ad- Justable toward or away from the pivots |2 of said frame, preferably by means of vertical positioning screws I5. Upon each of said pivot pins links l5 are engaged, the other ends of which are passed through the space between a pair of ears H on the upper side of pairs of sleeves l8 respectively on opposite sides of a sliding frame presently to -'be described.

In order to provide trackways or supports for a sliding frame 20, a pair of longitudinal bars 2| is provided, each bar being supported at the ends respectively in telescopic standards 22 which clamp about said bars at their upper ends and have stem portions 23 received in socket portions 24 provided at the ends of slotted bracket arms 25 which are held to the base plate by means of bolts 25. Thus, the bars or trackways may be moved outwardly from the central line of the machine, or the brackets may be swung at an angle with reference to the machine in order to change the position of the trackways, and such adjustment may be firmly maintained by securing the bolts firmly to the base plate. By means of set screws 21 on the socket portions of the bracket arms, the standards may be raised and lowered so as to bring the trackways at any desired elevation with reference to the upper fabric margin presently to be described.

The sleeves |8 have secured to their upper sides at an intermediate position terminal blocks 3| apertured to receive a pair of cross bars 32 which are held in adjusted position by means of set screws 33, Upon the parallel horizontal cross bars 32 a sliding carriage 34 is engaged. Centrally of said carriage a socket 35 is provided within which the end of thebody portion of the loop forming element 36 is engaged. A screw threaded terminal portion 31 engaged by lock nuts 38, 33, serves to firmly hold the loop-forming element in any desired position of adjustment. Upon the upper face of the carriage 34 at a central position a projecting operating arm 4| is provided on each side, such arm being adjustably secured to the top surface of the carriage by means of set screws 42 engaged through slots in a terminal plate portion 43 at the inner ends of said respective operating arms. At each face of the carriage 34 a screw threaded socket 44 is provided in which is engaged a screw threaded stem of a shifter bar contact member 45, a lock nut 46 on said member serves to hold the same in any position of adjustment. On one side of the carriage slideway, provided by the frame 20, extending transversely of the apparatus and spaced slightly above the sleeves, toothed rack bars 5|, 52, are provided, the rack bars having their teeth oppositely directed so that the rack bar 5| may .be used inconjunction with a pawl 53 for holding the carriage after shifting transversely in one direction and the rack bar 52 in the opposite direction. The pawls 53, 54, are carried on the carriage and operated by a common slide member 55 adapted to be shifted so as to alternately throw the pawl 53 into operative engagement with its rack bar 5| or to withdraw such pawl and throw the companion pawl 54 into engagement with its rack bar 52.

Centrally of the base plate a transverse slot 5| is provided which serves as a fabric receiving throat, said slot preferably having an upstanding slotted plate 52 above the same which serves as a rest for the ends of the tubular yarn feeds 83. These yam feeds are disposed in parallel rows opposite to each other but may be staggered indescribed. This operating arm operating bar 4i.

dividually as to the opposite members and are formed of thin tubular members which engage about the yarn so that the of the yarn may be had within the same, yet the space occupied by such tubular yarn feeds is so slight that firm needle-tight stitches or loops may be formed in the fabric without impressing any transverse strains upon the respective yarn feeds. This is particularly true in connection with purl knitted fabric wherein the opposite yarn tubes are individually in closely spaced staggered relation to each other. the yarns within the tubes the free ends of the tubes rest firmly against the upper fabric margin and serve as abutments to draw tight any loops which have been formed on any of the yarns issuing from the individual yarn tubes and serves also to support and position the fabric without the use of any fabric tension device or any synchronized fabric take-up mechanism.

The yam feeding tubes are each mounted on supporting plates 64 having a horizontal portion 65 engaged with the tubular yarn feeds 63 so as to hold the same-at a slightly downwardly disposed angle at its free end of the adjacent pro-. jecting operating 4i is provided with an opening 61 adjacent its end which is adapted to be engaged by a projecting pin 48 secured to the upstanding arm 66 in spaced relation slightly below the path of movement of the The operating arm or bar 4i at the same time enters between plates 82 on the frame 8 i, and this provides with the pawls 53, '4, on the carriage 34 and the rack bars ii, 52, on the carriage slideway, for the transverse movement of the carriage 34 in one direction and its return in alternate cycles of step by step knitting across the frame first in one direction and then in the reverse direction with repetitions of such movements thereafter. The tubular yarn feeds are thus moved into substantial alinement with the yarn feeds of its companion baseboard of the parallel baseboards 83, 84, such companion baseboard being inactive at such time, as will be hereafter described. As the carriage is shifted longitudinally the end of the operating bar will contact with the upstanding arm and move the same rearwardly whereupon the pin 68 will engage within the slot 81 and move upwardly therein. The slot 61 is elongated and upon the reverse movement of the carriage will have a degree of sliding movement which will not affect the position of the upstanding arm 66 and its associated tubular yam feed, but after the carriage has moved sufficiently to engage the loop forming element with the new yarn, the rearward end of the slot will engage the rearward face of the pin 68 and will turn the upstanding arm back to its original position. Each of the supporting plates 64 is formed with a pivot aperture ll centrally of the meeting point of its horizontal and upstandingarms and concentrically therewith is provided with a segmental plate 12 having a pair of notches l3, 14 at its rearward edge adapted to be engaged by a spring finger 15 having a rounded terminal 16 at its face end to ride into such notches. The supporting plates 64 for the yarn feeds are mounted in a frame ll formed of a plurality of thin spaced metal plates 82 open at their front edges and rearward edges and over a portion of the top edges so as to form firm guide members for the plates and yams. The spaced plates provide passageways within which the operating arms 4i engage free sliding movement When tension is applied to arm on the carriage heretofore sliding sleeves II, the shifter bars will not of the carriage. This en agement of the arms with such plates serves to move the carriage I4 whenever the yam-carrying frames on the baseboards I, 84, respectively, are shifted laterally. To provide for this lateral shifting of the yarncarrying frames and the associated tensloning mechanism, the same are supported uponv baseboards ll, 44, respectively. when Milanese knitting takes place. --the yarn carriers respectively on the base-boards I3, 44, may each be shifted in opposite directions. when other types of purl fabric are being made, either carriage or baseboard l4 may be shifted first in one direction and then the other, or in my preferred form of shifting, the yarn carriage on the base-board I! may be shifted each time the loop forming element has completely traversed the apparatus from one side to the other. Thereafter, the yarncarrying frame mounted on the base-board it is held stationary while the yam-carrying frame and its associated mechanism mounted on the base-board I4 is shifted step by step in the return passage across the apparatus, whereupon the cycle will be repeated and the motion asain transferred to the yarn-carrying frame on the baseboard 83 similar to that first described. In this manner, a selvage will be knitted at each edge of a section of flat fabric. A number of loop-forming elements may be supplied on=.the sliding carriage 34, the number being limited only by the amount of space required for the loop-forming element to have satisfactory working clearance.

The mechanism for shifting the yam-carrying frames and their associated mechanism mounted on the respective base-boards 83 and 84 comprises a spring-pressed toggle member 85 and a shifter-bar It carried on the inner 'sides of the sleeves "adjacent opposite ends for the oppositely positioned yam-carrying frames and baseboards. In the normal path of movement of the have sufficient movement to actuate the carriages. In order to eflect such actuation, an intermediate member 31 is provided having a sliding shuttle bar 88. The shuttle bar on one side will normally be out of alinement with the path of movement of the shifter bar, as shown at the right in Figures '7 and 9, while the other side is in direct alinement, as shown at the left in Figures 7 and 9, and permits the intermittent transverse shifting of the base-board. The means for throwing the shuttle bars into and out of operation comprises a pivoted frame 9| provided at each side of the transverse path of movement of the sliding carriage, the frame being pivoted on arms I! at each side of the narrowing and widening abutment 98, hereinafter to be explained. As the sliding carriage 34 moves to one side, an upstanding arm 04, mounted on extensions at each lateral end face of the carriage 34, as shown in elevation and plan, respectively, in Figures 1 and 2, will strike the frame 0i, and thereafter the arm I of the frame ii, extending downwardly to the position of the toggle mechanism and supporting the intermediate member 81, will move the shuttle bar a in the appropriate direction. A similar upstanding arm l4, like the arm 84, is provided on the opposite side of the carriage 34 to shift the shuttle bar 44 on opposite side in the appropriate direction. The members ii, 06, have a connecting bar 08 which serves to give opposite movement to its companion bar.

The narrowing and widening mechanism comprises a pair of abutments I1, '4 adapted to be upon the reciprocation contacted by the shifter bar contact members 4| which change the position of the pawls 53, 54 engaging the rack bars I, 52, so that the motion of the carriage will be reversed in synchronism with the reversal of the toggle mechanism operating means.

The yarn-tensioning means comprises a. mechanism interposed between the source of yarn supply in the form of an elevated platform IOI carrying spools I02 upon which the yarn is wound and feeding through the flexible arms I03 which control brakes I04. The yarns travel from the ends of said arms to the yarn-tensioning rollers I05 running beneath idlers I06 on one side and idlers I01 on the opposite side. The idlers I01 as well as idlers I06 are carried upon a bar I03 adapted to be lifted by the supporting plates for the yarn feeding tubes, as will be presently described. The bars I03 are mounted on pivots on the inner side of the respective yarn carrying frame 3|, and upon the bars I08 being lifted, they will lift the tensioning rollers I05 along with the idlers. This will serve to shorten the yarn path and provide abundant slack yarn for the knitting operation, and upon the restoration of the parts to the position shown in the drawing will again tension the yarn by resuming their position, as well as setting in motion the yarn tensioning operation. The rollers I05 are adapted to be moved in a yarn tensioning direction through contact with the continuously operating roller I I I driven from the motor by a line of shafts and bevel gears II2. Apart from the action of the yarn tube plates in lifting the bar I03, the action of the roller itself will lift the bar if the tension becomes too great by drawing the yam taut beneath the idler I01, whereupon it will act as the bar-lifting means in view of the yarn extending over an adjacent idler II3 at a slightly higher point. Thus the yarn tensioning movement of the roller will be momentarily interrupted and excessive yarn tension will be avoided. Where pile yarns are fed to the mechanism they will avoid the tensioning apparatus just described, and as noted in Figure 1, the pile yarn II4 will pass directly to the yarn tube 63 after extending about an idler II5. If desired, any necessary amount of tension may be applied to the pile yarns to insure sufficient take-up to avoid waste of material.

In order to shape the marginal portions of the fabric unsymmetrically with reference to each other, it will be necessary to change the height of the abutments 91, 33 relatively to each other. This may be accomplished by a suitable cam mechanism being interposed beneath the abutments, the cam being operated from a drum II6 driven from the line of shafting which actuates the tensioning rollers, the transverse shaft II1 connecting with the drum H6 which carries on its outer circumferences a series of ca'm plates II3 which actuate a shifter bar II3 which turns a ratchet wheel I2I connected by a shaft I22 with the cam I23 operating cam I24 and shaft I21. Where differential action is desired, the cam I23 is brought into contact with the cam I25 and shaft I26, which serve to transmit reverse action to the opposite abutment through the shaft I26 extending beneath the base plate I of the apparatus. In this way the shifter bar contact members 45 strike the respective abutments at different times, as will the bars 34,133 which move the respective carriages or baseboards 33, 34, and thus the point of reversal of the direction of movement of the sliding carriage will be changed as desired.

In place of carrying the spread loop over the end of the yarn feeding tube, it is possible to utilize a specially shaped yarn feeding element which carries a spread loop adjacent a substantially vertically held strand of yarn and form the loop directly from such strand without the intervention of a tube beneath the yarn forming element. 4

In Figure 12 is shown a loop-forming element I5I having a spread loop I52 past the strand of yarn I53 in a position wherein the loop-engaging point I54 is in the yarn engaging position and upon the reverse movement of the yarn loopforming element will draw a loop similar to the loops heretofore shown.

The apparatus herein described is adapted for high speed operation and with multiple yam feeds similar to any of the series of yarn feeds here described and multiple loop-forming elements similar to such elements here described the output of the fabric can be very rapidly stepped up without in any way affecting the quality of the product.

The operation of the apparatus has already been indicated in connection with the description of the several parts, but the operation will now be described first to show how the apparatus will operate as a full width plain fabric high speed production machine, disregarding any narrowing and widening adjustments and disregarding for plain fabric production the supplying of pile yarns.

With a yarn in each tubular yarn feed 63 and preferably with the free ends extending through the slot and with all the yarns connected to a bar clamp or light weight or merely joined in a common knot, a single slip loop from one yarn, such as is shown over the loop forming element 36, in Figs. 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6, is placed over the projection 36a of the loop forming element on the side toward which the sliding frame 20 is to be moved. The sliding frame 23 carries the carriage 34 on which the looping element 36 is supported. Each yarn, it will be noted by reference to Figure 10, extends from its spool I32 through the yarn tensioning' elements. The yarn, as stated, then passes into the tubular yarn feeds 63 and into the fabric slot or throat 6|.

As the sliding frame 20 is moved to the left in Figure 1, it lifts the first of the left hand tubular yarn feeds 63,in the manner shown in detail in Figure 4, the projecting arm 4| tilting the member 64 by engaging the upright portion 66, the pin 33 simultaneously entering the slot 61, and the spring finger 16 riding into the upper notch 14. As disclosed in Figure 4 the loop is carried over the tubular feed 33 and the opposite projection 33b of the loop-forming element 36 is then in position to engage the yarn in the tubular yarn feed 63 which, as stated, has been tilted to horizontal position. Just before the carriage reaches its limit of movement to the left it slides the baseboard 33 and its whole series of tubular yarn feeds transversely one space so as to aline the upturned horizontally positioned yarn feed with the opposite yarn feed on the right as shown in Figures 1 and 7.

This transverse movement is brought about by contact of the shifter bar 33 with the sliding shuttle bar 33 which is in line by reason of the position of the shifting mechanism shown in detail in Figure 11, and in general position in Figures 1 and 2, and these alined members act on the spring-pressed toggle member 36, which shifts the baseboard 33. As the baseboard 33 shifts the arm 4| interlocked with the partition plate 82 moves the 'carriage 34, and the pawl 53 locks the carriage in the new position. The sliding frame then moves to the right carrying the loopforming element to the position shown in Figure 8. As it moves, the pin 68 is contacted by the arm 4| after using up the lost motion provided by the slot 61, the new loop is drawn, the horizontal tubular member is returned to its original inclined position, and the original loop is cast off. The tensioning elements automatically take up the slack and tighten the old loop about the base of the newly drawn loop. On the return movement of the projecting arm 4| it clears the partitions and releases the baseboard 83 and its associated parts which are returned to the original position by the spring pressed toggle member 85.

The second loop is now over the tubular member 63 on the right hand side as shown in Figure 8. After the release of the baseboard 83 the parts are in the position shown in Figure 9, the yarn looping member 36 slides, straight across to a position on the second tubular yarn feed on the left. As it moves across it casts off the second loop which is tightened about the base of the second loop. The cycle is now repeated from the position shown in Figure '7 but with reference to the second tubular member on the left instead of the first tubular member as the drawing shows. Thereafter operation will be repeated for each tubular member on the left as the knitting progresses, until the carriage has moved completely across the apparatus. This movement is one space at a time the pawl locking the carriage at each stage against return movement, when pressure on the toggle is released by the shifter bar 86 and its associated mechanism.

When the carriage reaches the other side of the sliding frame 20 the shifter mechanism shown in Figure 11 is actuated and the shifter bar on the opposite side of the apparatus which is connected with the baseboard 84 is brought into action and the shifter bar actuating the baseboard 83 is rendered ineffective. This is accomplished by merely shifting the sliding shuttle 88 out of alinement on one side and into alinement with the shifting mechanism on the opposite side. The baseboard 83 then acts in the manner in which the baseboard 84 previously functioned, and this continues until the carriage has again reached the original position across the path of the series of tubular yarn feeds. The transverse cycle is then repeated and the action continues until the desired amount of fabric has been produced. On the reverse movemefi't the pawl 53 is withdrawn and the pawl 54 is put into action by the mechanism shown in Figures 1, 2, and more particularly in detail in Figures 13 and 14.

The narrowing and widening and fashioning mechanism is fully set forth and will be readily understood from the description at such point with the operation that has just been set forth. The addition of the pile fabric yarn is very simple, inasmuch as there is no tensioning action on such yarns beyond that applied at the spools. While the invention is primarily for the use of conventional yarns and textile fibres and strands,

it is not intended to limit the apparatus to such use, especially since the loop-forming and yarns or strand feeding mechanism and the operative parts associated therewith may be of heavy duty material and serves to produce wire fabric of close and open loop structure. Thus, purl knit belts of nichrome wire, for example, could be provided for carrying material into and out of annealing ovens, such knitted belts having detachable fastenings for their ends, or being united by welding the respective separate strands, if desired. With a circular type of apparatus the belt could be knitted as uniformly looped, freely flexible endless belts with finished edges. Through the use of fine wire, paper making machine belts likewise could be supplied.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of those explained, change being made as regards the means and steps herein disclosed, provided the means and steps stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means and steps be employed. I

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. A method of knitting a flat fabric with lateral selvaged edges and identical loop formation on each of its sides which includes the steps of supplyin yarns from at least two yarn series positioned on opposite sides of the upper fabric margin, applying tension to certain momentarily inactive yarns to maintain said fabric in position, and forming loops upon opposite yarns in alternate succession upon which the tension has been relieved by drawing a new loop from a yarn of one series through a loop just completed on a yarn of the second series, and repeating said steps on successive yarns progressively back and forth across the fabric width.

2. A method of knitting a flat fabric with lateral selvaged edges and identical loop formation on each of its sides which includes the steps of supplying yarns from at least two yarn series positioned on opposite sides of the upper fabric margin, applying tension to certain of said yarns to maintain said fabric in position, forming loops upon opposite yarns upon which the tension has been relieved, thereafter casting ofi previously formed loops and drawing the same about the base of the last formed loops to firmly seated position whereby said yarns will assume a fabric supporting function, and thereafter relieving the tension on adjacent yarns and forming loops thereon and repeating the cycle of steps on successive yarns of alternate series progressively back and forth across the fabric to any width and length desired for the finished fabric.

3. A method of knitting which includes the steps of supplying yarns from at least two yarn series positioned on opposite sides of the upper fabric margin, applying tension to certain of said yarns to maintain said fabric in position, forming loops upon opposite yarns upon which the tension has been relieved, thereafter casting off previously formed loops and drawing the same about the base of the last formed loops to firmly seated position by pressing the fabric opposite to the direction of pull of the tensioning yarns whereby said yarns will assume a. fabric supporting function, and thereafter relieving the tension on adjacent yarns and forming loops thereon and repeating the cycle of steps on successive yarns of alternate series progressively backand forth across the fabric to any width and length desired for the finished fabric.

4. A method of knitting a fiat pile fabric with lateral selvaged edges which includes the. steps of supplying backing yarns from at least two yarn series positioned on opposite sides of the upper fabric margin and supplying pile yarns in close association with at least one of said backin'g yarns, applying tension to certain of said backing yarns to maintain said fabric in position, forming loops upon opposite yarns upon which the tension has been relieved, thereafter casting off previously formed loops and drawing the backing yarn loops about the base of the last formed loops to firmly seated position and drawin: the pile loops to predetermined pile loop length by pressing the fabric opposite to the direction of pull of the tensioning yarns whereby said backing yarns will assume a fabric supporting function, and thereafter relieving the tension on adiacentyarns and forming loops thereon. and repeatln! the cycle of steps on successive yams of alternate series progressively back and forth across the fabric to any width and length desired for thevflnlshed fabric.

WILLIAM J. 

